Kmcalpin

I'm not for resting a lot of players, but we have scope to change things a bit with an eye on the final. As Joe says look at players who are maybe not 100% fit and either rest them or take them off early. The likes of Frear, Grimshaw, Hendrie, Ciftci, Bigi, MacLean and Maguire could all get some game time, depending on how things were going. You'd think there will be at least one change from last Saturday as McHugh returns from suspension.

Thats right. However our goal difference advantage although 12 to the good could theoretically be overturned. So, as things stand, we need 1 point to be mathematically safe from automatic relegation.

He deserves it and has grown into the role very well. Motherwell through and through. A great ambassador for the club.

Thats my major concern Iain. Fitness permitting, I've have Ciftci playing as much as possible in the remaining league games. Sid could be brought on as sub and maybe James Scott could get a few minutes taste of first team action. It might have to be a case of starting with a combination of Main and Bowman but taking them off early depending on how the game was going. We do have limited options in that area of the team.

We receive 33%. Of the total gate, some 4,000 - 5,000 will be complimentary. From the total gate income 33% goes on expenses (including VAT I think) and the residual 66% is split between the two teams.

Don't forget to deduct 20% for VAT Shaka. You also have to factor in concessions.

I hope he recovers quickly as he's had rotten luck with injuries. The referee was badly at fault for not stopping the game. He must have been the only one in the ground who did not realise it was a head injury and even tried to encourage the lad to get to his feet.

I wasn't surprised when I heard that Liam Grimshaw was starting, but given his form this season I was a little concerned. However I needn't have been. He chased, harried, and closed down for 90 minutes plus and was instrumental in unsettling the Dons. I'd like to see to more of him in the final few weeks. If he can continue like that he'll have earned a new deal. Overall though a real team performance.

If Cardiff offer £100k for Carson that would easy to turn down. There will also be interest in Cadden, Campbell, Kipre and Main.

Good post G & F. Its very hard to estimate additional revenues but its interesting to try. I'd say that the revenue from the additional OF game would be of the order of £50-60K taking into account extra expenses and VAT. Transfers about right give or take a few thousnad. TV revenues are £32,500 per game. As far as the cup runs are concerned: * don't forget that 20% of each ticket sold is skimmed off in VAT. For every £30 ticket sold yesterday the Treasury earned £6. * for each game played roughly a third of revenue is deducted for expenses. * we get a 50% share of programme and catering cash from Hampden appearances. As for Hampden appearances a healthy proportion of thee attendance generates no imcome. For the final I'd estimate that as much as 5,000 tickets will be dished out free to member club, dignitaries and corporate sponsors. Trying to work out our likely income for the final:- say a 45,000 paying crowd at an average of say £20(???) = £900,000 - our share would be £300,000. Add to that the TV fee of £32,500 and sponsorship prize money of £100,000 = £432,500. Add to that programme/catering cash and our own hospitality (anybody's guess) and deduct player bonuses. I'd say we're looking at a bottom line of about £400K from the final but thats a very rough guesstimate. A very healthy year financially and thats critical for our future.

Our rebuilding plans just got a bit easier with a cup final payday next month.

Great result today although it was a strange game. We didn't play great football but got all the basics right. The team ran their hearts out, fought for every ball and took their chances and thats why they won. No real failures today although I though Main, Bowman, Kipre, Campbell and Grimshaw were the pick of the bunch. At 2-0 Aberdeen still had a chance but the 3rd goal killed the tie. A lot fewer Dons fans there than their average league attendance still thats not important. A real day to savour two finals in one season! Our accountant will also be very pleased indeed. If she was happy before she'll be delirious now. Another big pay day beckons. Well done to Robbo, Keef and the players. Support too was tremendous.

Curtis Main for me for I thought Grimshaw, Campbell, Bowman and Kipre were also standouts.

Apart from the clear financial benefits of these deals it allows us continue with a solid core to the team which will benefit us next season. No major rebuilding is required rather some fine tuning. Maybe a left sided wing back, a creative central midfielder, and a couple of strikers. Every team needs to bring in 2/3/4 new players every year to keep things fresh. We're reasonably solid; now to add a bit of attacking flair.

Great news and great bit of business.

Here we go folks https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/scottish-cup/why-stephen-robinson-should-be-derek-mcinnes-successor-at-aberdeen-1-4723407 In another article in the same paper we're compared to Millwall....nobody likes us we don't care etc. etc.

There are quite a few reasons for the low key nature of the game. Quite a few folk are on holiday, as you will know very Iain, and thats not something that would've happened so much at Easter say 10 years ago. I knew many older fans, no longer with us, who would have given their eye teeth to have had the privilege of watching us at Hampden in a semi but rarely got the chance. We, that is the fans, have been very fortunate this season to be at Hampden at least 3 times. IF Aberdeen bring can bring twice their average home crowd then we're looking at a healthy 35,000. My guess is about 19-22K.

Speculation on my part but perhaps Andy Rose is the least likely. I'm led to believe that he was offered an extension months ago but hasn't signed, commonly believed to be for family reasons. My best guess is 4 from Kipre, Dunne, Tait, Main and Aldred (not sure of his contract position down south).

Curtis Main?

Its been reported on several other sites that Stephen Robinson has confirmed that we are in signing talks with 4 players and hopes to have further news on this by the end of the week.

Pretty happy with those fixtures. I was expecting 2 homes and 3 aways but understand the logic behind our programme. As Weeyin wrote earlier most of the delay is down to the TV companies, pure and simple.

Sorry whats a VL? I've looked up this abbreviation online and none of the explanations make much sense in this context.

Probably true. Our group too will be taking the same number, if not slightly more. I suppose too some younger fans are being a bit blase about the game i.e. oh its just another semi. I've no problem with the game being live on TV but do feel sorry the fans who don't subscribe to TV packages but have to put up with all the nonsense of the TV companies. Again speculation on my part.

Is it not time we moved to a new thread "The Great Rebuild 2018-19"?

Yes, I agree with that but I wonder how Robbo is thinking.